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Where do they stand after a busy weekend of visits?: Updated Penn State football commit tracker

Penn State coach James Franklin, the first 48 hours

James Franklin is officially introduced as the new Penn State football coach during a news conference at Beaver Stadium. Franklin replaces Bill O'Brien who left for the Houston Texans on December 31, 2013.
Joe Hermitt, PennLive
(Joe Hermitt, PennLive.com)

I’ll be doing my part to continue getting in touch with as many of the commits as possible in the days leading up to National Signing Day. Some players have previous relationships with Franklin throughout the recruiting process while others had a chance to meet him through in-home visits, trips to their schools and at Penn State.

I’ll be updating this list to keep it as date as possible leading up to Signing Day. Keep in mind many of these players could change their minds based off of what assistants Franklin brings in. Signing Day is Feb. 5 so there will be no shortage of recruiting news to cover in the next week and a half.

Penn State's verbal commits(18)

WR Saeed Blacknall

At 6-foot-3, 210 pounds, the Englishtown, NJ prospect becomes the fourth wide receiver in this class. Joining Chris Godwin, Troy Apke and early enrollee De'Andre Thompkins means on paper quarterback Christian Hackenberg should have plenty of weapons to utilize in the coming years. The four-star prospect is the seventh player to commit to the program since James Franklin took over on Jan. 11 and Balcknall was previously committed to Rutgers.

*Updated: Sunday, Jan. 26 at 11:22 pm: Blacknall announces his commitment to Penn State via Twitter. He visited the campus the previous weekend where he was spotted at a sporting event sitting near James Franklin. The four-star prospect is the biggest get for the new coaching staff thus far and he's the third commit in the class from New Jersey.

WR Chris Godwin

The four-star wide receiver met with James Franklin when Godwin camped at Vanderbilt. That previously established relationship has the sure-handed receiver and electric kick returner pleased with the hire.

“I’m excited about it. He’s done great things at Vanderbilt and I expect nothing less at Penn State,” Godwin told PennLive. “I’m excited to play for him, his staff and a great university.”

TE Mike Gesicki

Rated as the top tight end in the country by 247 sports, Mike Gesicki originally chose Penn State over Ohio State. A large reason for choosing Penn State was because of the way it used the tight ends in Bill O’Brien’s pro-style offense.

*Updated Jan. 20 at 2:46 pm: Franklin and wide receiver coach Josh Gattis visited with Gesicki over the weekend. The player tweeted about his continued commitment to play at Penn State Monday afternoon. Based off Gesicki's tweet and the picture of him with Franklin during his in-home visit, it sounds like the New Jersey tight end is reassured by what he's seeing and hearing from the new staff.

S Marcus Allen

Marcus Allen is coming off an ankle injury that ruined the end of his high school season. Allen says recovery from his injury is going well and is on time.

*Updated Wednesday, Jan. 15 at 1 p.m.: James Franklin has reached out to Allen in the last few days. We'll hope to have more information soon.

*Updated Sunday, Jan. 26 at 11:41 pm: Allen, like many of his classmates, was in State College for a visit this weekend.

WR Troy Apke

We’re checking in with Apke and hope to provide an update in a bit, but for the time being all signs point to him maintaining his commitment.

*Updated Friday, Jan. 17 at 4:03 pm: Franklin stopped by Apke's Mt. Lebanon high school to check in with him in the morning.

Saf/LB Koa Farmer

The Sherman Oaks, Calif. product became the 17th member to join the class when he committed to James Franklin during an official visit. Farmer could line up at either safety or outside linebacker, both positions where the four-star prospect could make an impact. Franklin's staff recruited Farmer to Vanderbilt so the familiarity with the group seems to be paying off for Penn State.

Johnathan Thomas attends the same high school that Bill O’Brien attended. He initially verbally committed to Maryland before switching to Penn State in October. Charles London, who is no longer on the staff, along with tight ends coach John Strollo recruited him.

*Updated Jan. 20 at 2:48 pm: Thomas was one of three verbal commits who was on campus this weekend. I'd anticipate him returning next weekend when the majority of his classmates are also at Penn State.

*Updated Sunday, Jan. 26 at 11:42 pm: Thomas visited Penn State again this weekend giving him one final look at the school before National Signing Day.

LB Troy Reeder

Troy Reeder was a bright spot for Salesianum as he found success both as a running back and as a linebacker. After Bill O’Brien’s departure he said he still remained committed to Penn State so we’ll try and get his thoughts on James Franklin as well as the rest of the staff that he will compile.

*Updated Jan. 20 at 2:50 pm: Reeder and linebackers coach Brent Pry were expected to meet in person over the weekend.

*Updated Sunday, Jan. 26 at 11:43 pm: Reeder was on campus this weekend and per his Twitter account it sounded like it was a worthwhile trip and beneficial for him to meet some of the newer members of the class.

Another great weekend at #PSU with all my boys and great getting to know the new commits #WeAre

Beh committed to Penn State in June and immediately when Bill O'Brien left Beh planned to stay committed. It looks like Franklin's hiring hasn't changed his mind.

“I’m glad they came to a decision,” Beh told PennLive. “[I’m] very excited to meet coach Franklin and anxious to see what coaches he brings in and if he’ll keep any.”

DE/LB Lloyd Tubman

The Louisville product was born in Liberia but spent much of his childhood in Philadelphia. He began playing football after moving to Kentucky in ninth grade and flipped his verbal commitment from Vanderbilt to Penn State during James Franklin's first day on the job.

The Fairfax, Va. running back is looking to contribute on the field any way possible. Scott put up big numbers this past season, rushing for 1,592 yards and scoring 17 total touchdowns.

As a kid he grew up rooting for Penn State and James Franklin’s hiring doesn’t seem to have a negative impact on his status with the Nittany Lions.

“Finally. I can’t wait to meet him,” Scott old PennLive. “We’ve heard nothing but great things about him.”

*Updated Sunday, Jan. 26 at 11:46 pm: Scott was joined by fellow running backs Mark Allen and Johnathan Thomas on campus this weekend.

CB Daquan Worley

The Coatesville cornerback continues working back from a torn Anterior Cruciate Ligament that ended his high school season. As an in-state product Worley caught the attention of Bill O’Brien and his staff and despite initially wondering how he would fit in with a new staff, Worley certainly sounded committed to Penn State when I spoke with him Saturday morning.

“My plan is to stay committed to Penn State,” Worley said. “I’m hoping they keep coach Johnson but I’m just focused on getting healthy right now. I’m just going to stay committed and see what happens.”

*Updated Thursday, Jan. 16 at 11:50 pm: Worley tells PennLive that James Franklin stopped by his school on Thursday to meet with him. Worley was impressed by Franklin's energy during the visit and said it went well.

CB Grant Haley

The Atlanta cornerback became the fifth former Vanderbilt commit to join Penn State's 2014 recruiting class when he gave the staff his verbal commitment on Monday. Haley was on campus last weekend and his trip to State College, coupled with familiarity with James Franklin and his staff, made him the 17th verbal commit in the group.

Haley is a three-star prospect who like fellow Penn State cornerback commit Daquan Worley, also found success as a high school running back. Haley is the second corner in the class and the third defensive back, giving the position added depth after former Penn State corner commit Troy Vincent Jr. flipped his commitment to N.C. State last week.

*Updated Jan. 20 at 6:30 pm: Haley flipped his commitment from Vanderbilt to Penn State making him the fifth player to follow Franklin to State College.

*Updated Sunday, Jan. 26 at 11:52 pm: Haley had a chance to meet some of his future teammates during a visit this weekend.

Had a great visit at penn state...can't wait to be up here soon with my boys #WeAre#NTO

James Franklin was able to flip a fourth former Vanderbilt commit, this time bringing in three star dual- threat quarterback Trace McSorley. McSorley took an official visit to Penn State this weekend and according to 247Sports it was during the visit that McSorley said he felt comfortable with the school and the staff.

The Ashburn, Va. product was recruited by quarterback coach Ricky Rahne during the initial process and it helped that Rahne is now part of Franklin's staff at Penn State. He would become the third Penn State quarterback on scholarship, joining Christian Hackenberg and early enrollee Michael O'Connor. Whether or not McSorley stays at the position down the road remains to be seen. For now he's a quarterback, but don't rule out seeing him at safety or receiver in the future.

The DeMatha running back committed in 2012 and has been instrumental in trying to keep this class together. One of the leaders of the group, it seems unlikely that Allen would leave to play elsewhere.

*Updated Jan. 20 at 2:58 pm: Allen was on campus this weekend and afterward tweeted that everything was fine regarding his commitment and his scholarship to Penn State. He plans to enroll in June.

*Updated Sunday, Jan. 26 at 11:55 pm: Allen made another trip to State College this weekend and was able to check out the campus and meet many of his newer classmates for the first time.

OT Brendan Brosnan

James Franklin continues flipping Vanderbilt commits as the Illinois three-star offensive tackle is the third player to verbally commit to Franklin's Nittany Lions. Brosnan had offers from schools like Boston College, Illinois, Maryland, N.C. State, Virginia Tech, but clearly has a connection with Franklin that helped him flip his commitment.

The Ohio left tackle switched from Vanderbilt to Penn State and became James Franklin's first verbal commit as head coach at Penn State. Sorrell visited Penn State once before but that was back in 2009 when he was on an unofficial basketball visit.

We'll try to learn more about Sorrell and his commitment to Franklin's Nittany Lions in the coming days.

The New Jersey linebacker switched his commitment to Penn State after previously giving Syracuse his verbal commitment. Cabinda is set to enroll in June and confirmed to PennLive that he still plans to stay committed to Penn State and that he looks forward to getting to know James Franklin.

*Updated Jan. 20 at 3:04 pm: Cabinda joined Mark Allen and Johnathan Thomas on campus this weekend. He also had an in-home visit with his position coach Brent Pry on Friday.

*Updated Sunday, Jan. 26 at 11:59 pm: Cabinda was among the group of players who visited campus this weekend.

Penn State's early enrollees (5)

WR De’Andre Thompkins

The North Carolina product is set
to early enroll and was in State College on Saturday. Thompkins wanted
to get to a program early wherever he was going and despite the coaching
staff losing assistant head coach/wide receivers coach Stan Hixon,
De’Andre still plans to stay at Penn State and contribute.

He’ll
continue to work into the role as a receiver, but off the bat he’s a guy
who could help the team with kickoff and punt returns.

Michael O’Connor was en route to
State College on Friday and wants to make sure he likes what he sees
from the coaching staff before signing any papers for his commitment. He
was scheduled to early enroll and was fine with taking a redshirt with
the old regime.

The New Jersey defensive tackle is on
campus at Penn State as scheduled and plans to early enroll. White will
benefit from an extra offseason with the program, but he is still
optimistic that defensive line coach Larry Johnson will be retained.
White was a key member of the class who helped convince Thomas Holley to
commit and if Johnson stays that will also give both players a boost.

“From
what I heard he is a very animated, high energy, good coach,” White
told PennLive about James Franklin. “It will be great to see how we do
with him.”

As a prep-school product the offensive
tackle is set to early enroll. He recently signed his letter of intent
while the coaching search was going on, therefore making his formal
commitment to Penn State.

The
four-star defensive tackle has plenty of collegiate options and whether
or not Franklin retains Larry Johnson will have a huge factor on
Holley’s official decision. Without Johnson it would be nearly
impossible for Holley to stay committed to Penn State, especially with
Notre Dame, Ohio State, Florida and Tennessee interested in him.

He chose Penn State over Florida last month and we’ll wait to see what Holley is thinking.

The
son of former NFL All-Pro Troy Vincent should understand that in the
football world coaches can change quickly. We’ll check in with Vincent
and hope to have more knowledge about what he plans to do.

*Updated Thursday, Jan. 16 at 11:46 pm:
Vincent Jr. had an in-home visit with N.C. State and after some
uneasiness coming from Penn State's new staff opted to flip his
commitment to the Wolfpack. He's the second player to de-commit since
James Franklin took over.

LB Donte Raymond

Raymond committed to Penn State in
December and we’re working to learn more about his commitment and
whether or not he's wavering.

*Updated Jan. 20 at 7:11 pm:
Raymond tweets about switching his commitment to Delaware and then
deletes the tweet. With two new additions to the class on Monday it
seems highly likely that he is headed elsewhere.